AS Roma kept alive their faint hopes of landing a Champions League spot next season with an eye-catching 1-0 victory over Chievo Verona at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
Simone Perrotta got the only goal after four minutes, side-footing home Daniele De Rossi's pass, but the home side could easily have scored six or seven in a sparkling display with Mirko Vucinic chief among the culprits in front of goal.
Sixth-placed Roma moved to within four points of rivals Lazio, who occupy the final Champions League place in Serie A.
Roma dominated the match with skipper Francesco Totti in scintillating form.
The 34-year-old forward released De Rossi in the fourth minute to square for Perrotta who stroked the ball home from 15 metres. Totti then created two great chances that were wasted by the out-of-sorts Vucinic.
In a rare Chievo attack on 20 minutes, Doni had to tip over a long-range shot from Kevin Constant but it was Roma who came closest to doubling their lead before the break.
Totti twice had efforts saved, Jeremy Menez whistled a shot a whisker wide and Vucinic, again sent clear by Totti, fired wide on 44 minutes.
It was a similar story in the second half. After Chievo substitute Fernando Uribe had screwed a shot wide on 52 minutes, Roma cut through the Chievo defence again and again.
In a four-minute spell around the hour mark, Vucinic came close on three occasions with Menez hitting the post. Totti then had a fierce shot saved and a deflected cross bounce back off the bar, Juan placed a straightforward header inches wide on 75 minutes before substitute Matteo Brighi, one-on-one with seconds remaining, shot wide.
